Newsletter

PVB man: 'I thought I was God'

JACKSONVILLE -- A Ponte Vedra Beach man is accused of ramming several cars Saturday night at the Beaches with witnesses saying the driver's vehicle topped speeds of 90 miles per hour.

Joel Roth, 65, is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Roth told investigators following his arrest, "I thought I was God and could do anything in the world.

When asked why he rammed all of the vehicles, Roth responded, "I thought I was the smartest guy in the world."

Altogether five vehicles were rammed in separate incidents in Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Jacksonville.

Staley Street, who was one of the victims, told police she believed the suspect was trying to kill her.

"He came up from nowhere. I looked in my rear view for a split second I saw headlights like they were almost in my trunk. And then we went flying and then we continued to get smashed into over and over again," said Street who was on J. Turner Butler along with a roommate Saturday night.

Police reports said at least one person sustained injuries.

Roth was arrested in Atlantic Beach after police say he hit three cars on 3rd Street after exiting the expressway.